Wednesday afternoon Infinite 8 Institute (I8I), was featured among 130 other startups vying for access to the $2B in annual grants provided nationally to small businesses through the Federal Government's Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR). The event was hosted by the Nebraska Small Business Development Office located at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. To access the full report click here!

The NSBA Leadership Council is a select group of small business activists who have a desire to participate by advocating on behalf of small business with Congress, the Administration, State and Local Government and the Media. NSBA Leadership Council members are a broad diverse group of business owners that share the common attribute of being leaders in their communities.

NSBA Leadership Council members enjoy special benefits which provides the participant a seat at the table and opportunities to become involved in various activities, events and business intelligence. While members of the Council participate in advocacy and small business messaging, they also are members of a forum that provides them with a unique opportunity to share their experience as well as expand their own personal development with other thought leaders.

Infinite 8 Institute, L3C (I8I), an Omaha-based social enterprise that designs and finances social impact systems and technologies, will partner with IBM, a New York-based Fortune 500 company manufacturing computer hardware, software, hosting, and consulting in areas ranging from mainframe computers to nanotechnology, as a participant in the IBM Global Entrepreneur Program for Cloud Startups. I8I, a recent recipient of the Small Business Innovation Research Grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, will utilize the partnership to further current research and development in the area of cloud-based software for Drones or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAVs). With this program, IBM offers startups up to $120k worth of free cloud credits, as well as connections into IBM’s vast global network of enterprise clients, global exposure, partnerships through face-to-face IBM-facilitated networking dinners, CIO and entrepreneur meet-ups, and other events around the world. I8I will also have access to technical support and consulting through IBM’s growing global network of 43 innovation centers, it’s new incubator space at its Watson Headquarters in Silicon Valley, and the use of IBM’s powerful Softlayer and BlueMix platforms, offering developers cloud-based infrastructure and a range of over 75 tools and services for developers.

– Infinite 8 Institute, L3C (I8I), a low-profit limited liability company and social enterprise, whose mission is to design and finance social impact systems, will partner with Georgetown University’s Social Enterprise & Nonprofit Law Clinic, a division of the schools Law Center. The organization will work with Georgetown Law students, professors, and additional resources to create a standard document to facilitate the international transaction of Micro-Social Impact Bonds (Micro-SIBs). The Micro-SIB is an original social impact financial product of I8I, bringing together promising investors, promising ideas, and promising organizations, to facilitate the creation of impact and profit-driven private investments that are also outcome based.

The objective of the collaborative is to promote the creation of innovative social systems while streamlining the process of making profitable philanthropic and corporate socially responsible investments. Over the next 8 weeks I8I will be interviewing international thought leaders in the philanthropic, private, and financial industries. Starting in September I8I will open up the process for international commentary.

Narrated by the Chief Innovation Officer of Infinite 8 Institute, Ean Garrett, J.D., week two of the Infinite 8 Micro-Social Impact Bond Project - Lean Series was filled with discovery. Our interviews varied from venture capital and financial management firms to green and sustainable energy companies. We further streamlined our direction and propositional value of the social impact financing process hoping to maximize overall utility. We look forward to next week already! Keep up with our journey over the next 10 weeks by visiting infinite8institute.com/i8blog

Infinite 8 Institute, is currently collaborating with UNO's Maverick Innovations, Aksarben Innovations, and Sevel Technology to interview 100 of the worlds most influential minds in the public, private, and philanthropic sectors concerning the potential impact of Socially Responsible Investments (SRIs). I8I will share it's weekly progress over the course of the next teen weeks! We hope you will join us on our journey to revolutionize the social impact financing industry.

Infinite 8 Institute is excited to add our new 2.0 Non-cognitive Development Curriculum for use in schools, training programs, and for home-schooling as well. I8I has combined international best-practices to bring a flexible one-stop-shop curriculum that provides parents, teachers, and caregivers the tools and information they need to develop skills in the following areas: Non-cognitive Development, Character Development, Environmental Education, Mindfulness Meditation, Mobile Technology, and Drone Technology. Visit our website for more!

Infinite 8 Institute was among the local Omaha business leaders who toured the TD Ameritrade Park shortly before the opening of the College World Series. I8I discussed social impact and the economic benefits of social investments with CWS President Jack Diesling, Jr. and Damani Leech, Managing Director of Championships and Alliances for the NCAA, as well as with leadership among the Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

Infinite 8 Institute (I8I) partnered with Guadalupe Educational System (GES), to implement a pilot program using the Infinite 8 Non-cognitive Development Curriculum. GES is a three-tiered charter school system located in the Kansas City, MO area, and is a part of the oldest and longest-operating Hispanic organization in the country. I8I recently certified 50 teachers and support staff as i8 Level 2 Trainers, who furthermore will be certifying 450 K-12 students as i8 level 1 Participants. We are excited to foster a continuous and collaborative relationship.

Aledia Kartchner, Social Innovation consultant for Infinite 8 Institute, handles a newly picked radish fresh from the community garden, which is a recent addition behind the Omaha Star, the historical Black-owned newspaper located off 24th & Lake, in the heart of the North Omaha area. This year, Infinite 8 Institute collaborated with Keep Omaha Beautiful, Home Depot, Northwest Grain & Feed, members of St. Benedict Church, and the Bryant Center, in order to educate both youth Pre-K through 12, and adults about sustainable urban agricultural practices to address childhood hunger and local food disparities. Infinite 8 Institute planted over 20 varieties of fruit, vegetables, and flowers as well as planting three fruit trees (peach and plum). We thank all of our dedicated volunteers!

Author, inventor, social entrepreneur, and former national spokesperson for MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership. Ean Garrett, J.D., has committed his life toward maximizing human development. Tabia will talk to Ean about his journey to becoming a "Successful Personal Brand" as well as, the importance of mentoring in the areas of communication, image, social entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship.

I8I meet with Howard University Hospital for talks on Social Impact Financing

This spring, Ean Garrett and Aledia Kartchner, both consultants for Infinite 8 Institute, recently took a trip to Washington, DC, to discuss Social Impact Bonds with the new CEO of Howard University Hospital, Sandra Austin.

Infinite 8 Institute hosted a Wine Mixer for Social Impact in Omaha's historic Old Market district, celebrating recent progress while raising awareness concerning the benefits of investing in Social Impact. We would like to give a big thanks to Sandi Downing Real Estate who sponsored the event. Everyone had a blast!

Infinite 8 Institute and Berkeley-based 3D Robotics recently have committed to a mutually beneficial partnership whose focus will encompass collaboratively furthering drone technology, education, and innovation among businesses, the public sector, and among future generations. We look forward to working together to bring Emerging Technology to the masses, and helping to direct it's development toward the benefit of all mankind.

Infinite 8 Institute is proud to release the second installment of it's Non-cognitive Development Curriculum featuring Drone and Mobile Technology training. I8I seeks to become a leader in the development of young children through the implementation of globally competitive educational programming. Get your hard or digital copy of the I8 Early Childhood Development Curriculum 2.0 now! Find out more by visiting www.infinite8institute.com/earlychildhood

Overview:Infinite 8 Institute (I8I) and the Non-cognitive Development Institute-Alliance (NDIA), a collaborative of local/national consultants and partnering organizations, seek support for the world’s first Social Impact Bond(SIB) aimed at violence prevention. The SIB will serve a total of 80 residents annually for three years in the target area of Northeast Omaha. The area was chosen because of its immense need and opportunity to yield substantial results. After completion of the development program, participants will demonstrate proficiency in character, intrinsic motivation, and emerging technologies, preparing them adequately to compete in modern global human capital pools.

Definition: A Social Impact Bond - also known as a Pay for Success Bond, is a contract with the public, private, and philanthropic sector in which a commitment is made to pay for improved social outcomes that result in public sector savings.

Objectives: I8I seeks supporters to help us create history by assisting with the capital crowd-funding campaign to fuel our $1.5M Violence Prevention Model, previously recommended by the U.S. Federal Department of Health & Human Services (see below), using the SIB as an alternate and conservative financial instrument to do so.

NE Taxpayer Cost-savings: The violence prevention SIB is projected to save Nebraskans $7.2M in public expenditures by preventative programming.

Recently, Google selected Infinite 8 Institute as a new member of its new Diversity Supplier Program. Over the next few months Google aims to beef up its list of minority suppliers, and before the end of 2015 will launch a new internal supplier catalog for Googlers to make organizational purchases for products and services. We look forward to working with Google in 2015! Check out this article covering the program from Black Enterprise Magazine by clicking here.

As we begin 2015, the Year of the Sheep according to the Chinese Zodiak, and seek to separate ourselves from the flock, Infinite 8 Institute, is committed to creating innovative solutions for the new knowledge-based economy in the years to come! (Names left to Right: Michelle Biodrowski & Spouse, Mary Ferdig, Edward Weniger, Ean Garrett, Aledia Kartchner, Richard Fowler, and Julia DaGaza). Location: Nosh Wine Bar.

In January of 2015, in collaboration with Alpha Bitcoin and the Aksarben Innovation Initiative, a collaborative between the Scott Technology Center and the University of Nebraska at Omaha Maverick Innovations, Infinite 8 Institute will participate in the highly acclaimed Lean Launchpad Business Development program, in an effort to better understand the Social Impact and Digital Currency Markets.

Infinite 8 Institute was recently chosen this past December to participate in the Accelerate with Google Academy, which is a rigorous 12-week program focusing on website development, in-bound marketing, and analytics.

Avis Thomas, the Director of Training & Staff Development, has written about her experience at our recent training on the Infinite 8 Early Childhood Development Program, which is designed to assist children in developing non-cognitive skill sets, such as meditation. Read her story here: http://www.seraajfh.com/seraaj-blog.html?fb_31994824_anch=33859151.

Infinite 8™ Institute President and Founder, Ean Garrett, discusses his latest invention "Infinite 8™" non-cognitive training and development program, and poverty in North Omaha with Karen Sokolof and Jody Vinci.